With just seven games left in the FIFA World Cup, the question on everyone's mind is: Can anyone stop France from lifting the trophy? The French team, led by the formidable Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, has been on an unstoppable streak, scoring 16 goals and conceding only two in their six matches. Their recent victory over Portugal, secured by Mikel Merino's last-gasp goal, further solidifies their dominance. France's strength lies not only in their lethal attack, with Michael Olise leading the assists, but also in their solid defense, which has kept them atop the rankings and with a projected 34% chance of winning the tournament, according to The Athletic's live forecast tool.
However, the tournament is far from over, and several teams are still in the running. Argentina, despite a smooth group stage, has faced back-and-forth challenges in their knockout games, showcasing both susceptibility to giving up leads and the strength of character to overcome adversity. The question remains: How much have these matches taken out of them as they prepare to face Switzerland, a team that has proven itself resilient? England, on the other hand, finds itself ranked below Argentina due to the fact that they have avoided one of the more fancied teams in the quarter-finals.
Spain, with their star player Lamine Yamal yet to reach his full potential, has shown depth and strength in depth, as evidenced by Ferran Torres' and Mikel Merino's contributions. They face Belgium in the quarter-finals, a team that will pose a significant challenge. Morocco, the best African nation at the tournament, offered little resistance to France, but their performance against other teams remains to be seen.
In summary, while France remains the clear favorite, the remaining teams are not without their chances. The tournament's unpredictability and the teams' resilience and character will likely determine the outcome. As the tournament progresses, the question of who can stop France becomes increasingly relevant, but the answer may not be as straightforward as it seems.
